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"A very unpleasant visit"

About: Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow / Diabetes (Wards 5a &5b)

(as a relative),

I visited my elderly grandfather in ward 5b of the QEU recently.

The ward was deserted when I arrived. My grandfather was sat in bed staring ahead of him. His hospital gown was untied at the neck and had fallen down around his waist, leaving him undressed and exposed through the open door to the corridor. There were 2 untouched, stone-cold cups of coffee in front of him, and a dirty pudding pot from his lunch stuffed with tissues. There were spots of blood on the floor to the left of his bed. He was delirious. He was not speaking coherently, and was unable to move independently. This is all very out of character. He had 16 missed calls from family on his mobile phone that he had been unable to figure out how to answer, yet he seemed to be receiving minimal care.

I stayed for approx. 1 hour 20 mins, and saw no staff pass in the corridor during this time. I stopped at the desk on my way out to ask about his condition. The nurse at the desk was unhelpful, unfriendly, and offered me no information, telling me the responsible nurse was on a break. All answers were very abrupt with no advice given. Another nurse sat on a stool in the corridor nearby on her phone, and didn't look up. 

I left feeling upset, feeling my grandfather was incredibly vulnerable and receiving little care, whilst I had received no answers or reassurance.

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Responses

Response from Sharon Parrott, Clinical Service Manager, Medicine (South Sector), NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde last month
Sharon Parrott
Clinical Service Manager, Medicine (South Sector),
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Submitted on 12/09/2025 at 09:03
Published on Care Opinion at 09:04


Dear Saturnby99

Thank you for taking the time to get in touch via Care Opinion. I am very sorry to hear about the distressing circumstances surrounding your visit to Ward 5B at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. I understand how upsetting it must have been to see your grandfather in such a vulnerable state without adequate support or communication. Please be assured your concerns have been shared and discussed as Senior Management Team responsible for Ward 5B to address these issues.

As we cannot discuss individual cases publicly, I would encourage you to get in touch with the Lead Nurse John Emmett on 0141 451 5808 or the complaints team if you would like to discuss your concerns further (@ ggc.complaints@nhs.scot - it would be helpful if you could include this Care Opinion link: https://www.careopinion.org.uk/1389661)

Please pass on my apologies to your grandfather.

Thank you

Sharon Parrott - Clinical Service Manager Medicine

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